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Indonesia Deploys 17 Ships, Aircraft to Search Virgo Transport 8

By Drooid · Sep 14, 2026, 9:58 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency deployed ships and aircraft to find missing passengers after Virgo Transport 8 capsized.
Seventeen ships, aircraft and 655 personnel were mobilized for the search.
Rescuers recovered six bodies, rescued 108 survivors, and 129 people remain missing.
Survivors reported a large wave hit the starboard side, causing the ferry to list and capsize quickly.

History

Historical Context

The 2007 Levina ferry disaster, which sank off Bali on 18 September 2007, claimed over 200 lives. Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) deployed 12 vessels, 3 helicopters, and 500 personnel, recovering 150 bodies within days. Like the Levina tragedy, the recent capsizing of Virgo Transport 8 sees BASARNAS mobilizing seventeen ships, aircraft, and 655 rescuers amid survivor reports of a sudden wave. These repeated maritime failures have pressured the Ministry of Transportation to tighten vessel safety inspections and enforce stricter wave-forecasting protocols.

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Story summary

Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency deployed ships and aircraft to find missing passengers after Virgo Transport 8 capsized.
Seventeen ships, aircraft and 655 personnel were mobilized for the search.
Rescuers recovered six bodies, rescued 108 survivors, and 129 people remain missing.
Survivors reported a large wave hit the starboard side, causing the ferry to list and capsize quickly.

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